Application of cyclic imides in the management of root-knot nematode ( Meloidogyne incognita ) on cabbage

The damage occasioned by Meloidogyne incognita to practically all crops is recurrent and goes along with huge economic loss in Nigeria. Currently, carbofuran though banned in many countries, is the only well-known commercially available nematicide in the Nigerian market. This has generated severe environmental pollution, integrated with serious health challenges to the farmers and their household. Accordingly, the potential of six cyclic imides as an alternative to carbofuran was evaluated in laboratory and screenhouse experiments against M. incognita . The outcome of laboratory investigation on eggs and juveniles of M. incognita established that the imides are nematicidal with 86% juvenile mortality for N-phenyl maleimic acid (NPNMA), 59% mortality for N-phenyl phthalimide (NPNTD), while 19% egg hatch was recorded for 4-Nitro-N-phenyl maleimide (4NNPMD). 4-Nitro-N-phenyl phthalimide (4NNPTD) equally had 59% hatch, while 75% egg hatch was registered for carbofuran after 10 days of observation. 4NNPTD, 4NNPMD and NPNTD are significantly (p = 0.05) better than carbofuran in inhibiting M. incognita egg hatch. Consequently, tremendous reduction in egg mass, root galls and nematode population in soil was recorded in the screenhouse. Albeit, higher values were observed with regards to mean numbers of cabbage leaves and head weight of cabbage across all the imide treatments in comparison with control plants. The import of this is that cyclic imides are good alternative in M. incognita management.